Chrysanthemum plant named Cadet

ABSTRACT

A Chrysanthemum plant named Cadet, characterized by its bright yellow ray floret color, almost fully double flower form, jagged or uneven ray floret tips which give the cultivar a carnation-like appearance, cushion growth habit, 8 week flowering response, and by its adaptability to outdoor or commercial pot programs.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum, botanically known as Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat.,and referred to by the cultivar name Cadet.

Cadet is a product of a planned breeding program which had the objectiveof creating new Chrysanthemum cultivars having bright yellow flowercolor, cushion growth habit, and the ability to perform well in outdoorgarden programs as well as in 41/2" to 1 gallon pot mum programs. Suchtraits in combination were not present or needed improvement inpreviously available commercial cultivars.

Cadet was originated from a hybridization made in a controlled breedingprogram in Westfield, Woking, England by Leonard H. Shoesmith in 1980.Both the male and female parents are unknown at this time. Cadet wasdiscovered and selected as one flowering plant within the progeny of thestated parentage by Peter S. Hesse in November 1981 in a controlledenvironment in Parrish, Fla.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Cadet was accomplished whenvegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in February1982 in a controlled environment in Parrish, Fla. by a technicianworking under formulations established and supervised by Peter S. Hesse.Horticultural examination of selected units initiated in April 1982 hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor Cadet are firmly fixed and are retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

Cadet has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions.The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment suchas temperature, light intensity, and day length. The followingobservations, measurements and comparisons describe plants grown inParrish, Fla. under greenhouse conditions which approximate thosegenerally used in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Cadet, which, in combination, distinguishthis Chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Bright yellow ray floret color.

2. Almost fully double flower form, with only a few disc floretspresent.

3. Fully expanded ray florets are 15-24 mm long and 4-5 mm wide.

4. Capitulum is 30-45 mm in diameter.

5. The apex of the ray florets is unevenly toothed, giving the flower acarnation-like appearance.

6. Flowering 8 weeks after the onset of long days.

7. Performs well in the outdoor garden.

8. Excellent production in 41/2" to 1 gallon containers.

9. Cushion growth habit.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventors, themost similar in comparison to Cadet is Minn-Yellow, an unpatented butwell known commercial cultivar.

In comparison to Minn-Yellow, Cadet has a one week slower floweringresponse, brighter yellow flower color, and its flower petals are raggedat the tips as compared with the petal tips of Minn-Yellow, which aresmooth. The overall flower form of both cultivars is somewhatshaggy-like in appearance, although this is more noticeable in Cadet dueto its ragged petal tips.

The accompanying photographic drawing shows typical inflorescence andleaf characteristics of Cadet. The photograph is in black and white,with several flowers being colored to accurately depict true flowercolor.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determinedbetween 10:00 and 10:30 a.m. on July 7, 1986 under fluorescent lightingat Parrish, Fla.

Classification:

Botanical.--Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., cv. Cadet.

Commercial.--Garden mum or commercial pot mum.

INFLORESCENCE

A. Capitulum:

Form.--Flat.

Type.--Double.

Diameter across face.--3-4.5 cm.

B. Corolla of ray florets:

Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--Brightyellow.

Color (upper surface).--5A.

Color (under surface).--5B.

C. Corolla of disc florets:

Color (mature).--Yellow, very few present.

Color (immature).--Yellow green, very few present.

D. Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--Present in disc florets only.

Gynoecium.--Present in both ray and disc florets.

PLANT

A. General appearance:

Height.--Approximately 20 cm when grown in a 41/2" pot. Height can varyupon growing conditions, growth regulator applications and other culturepractices.

B. Foliage:

Color (upper surface).--147A.

Color (under surface).--147B.

Shape.--Ovate with cleft margins.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant named Cadet, asillustrated and described, and particularly characterized by its brightyellow ray floret color, almost fully double flower form, jagged oruneven ray floret tips which give the cultivar a carnation-likeappearance, cushion growth habit, 8 week flowering response, and by itsadaptability to outdoor or commercial pot programs.